Performance evaluation of rapeseed mustard under rice fallow system for optimizing productivity, profitability and resource conservation

Abstract

The study was conducted in Chandel district of Manipur state to maximise the productivity of Rapeseed-mustard under rice fallow. Rapeseed-mustard has great potential under residual moisture after the harvest of Kharif rice in North Eastern states. It is a major source of income especially to the marginal and small farmers in rainfed areas of Manipur. Sample consisted of randomly selected 29 farmers who were growing rapeseed-mustard under FLDs. The results revealed that improved technology recorded a mean yield of 8.77 q/ha which was 20.55 per cent higher than obtained under farmers’ practice (7.27 q/ha). The study also showed that reduction in technology index from 10.90 per cent during 2017-18 to 6.49 per cent during 2019-20 exhibited the feasibility of demonstrated technology. The lower value of technology index, the more is the feasibility of technology. Further, it was found that the adoption of improved technologies not only increased the yield but also yield attributing traits of rapeseed-mustard and benefit cost ratio. Hence, there is a need to disseminate the improved technologies amongst the farmers with effective extension methods like training and demonstrations to utilise the rice fallow areas for increasing the cropping intensity as well as to increase crop production and productivity. The farmers’ should be encouraged to adopt the recommended package of practices for realizing higher returns.